The U.S. Navy’s next-generation nuclear ballistic missile submarine, USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826), has reached a major construction milestone. Prime contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat announced on October 24 that the vessel is now over 60 percent complete, with remaining modules scheduled to arrive at Groton shipyard by the end of 2025.
The company reaffirmed its revised timeline targeting delivery in FY 2028 and a first deterrent patrol in 2030, a schedule designed to prevent any strategic gap as the Ohio-class submarines retire from service.
During its third-quarter earnings call, General Dynamics leadership noted steady recovery following earlier turbine and bow section delays, calling 2026 a decisive year for full-rate assembly as supplier networks stabilize across Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding.
A Quieter, Smarter Nuclear Deterrent
The Columbia-class represents a generational leap in U.S. undersea deterrence. Measuring 560 feet (171 meters) in length and displacing about 20,800 tons submerged, the submarine will carry 16 Trident II D5LE missiles—fewer than the Ohio-class—but will feature a life-of-ship S1B reactor, eliminating mid-life refueling.
The advanced turbo-electric propulsion and pump-jet propulsor greatly reduce mechanical noise, enhancing stealth. An X-shaped stern improves low-speed control, while an enlarged Large Aperture Bow sonar, derived from the Virginia class, offers superior wideband passive detection.
Crewed by around 155 sailors, Columbia will incorporate the Common Missile Compartment (CMC) jointly developed with the United Kingdom, standardizing design, production, and sustainment practices across allied fleets.
Industrial Pace and Strategic Urgency
General Dynamics continues resequencing module transfers to restore in-sequence assembly flow, aiming to reduce rework and stabilize turbine-generator production. These steps are vital for meeting the Navy’s 2028 delivery goal without schedule slippage.
Timely delivery of the Columbia class is pivotal to maintaining the U.S. strategic deterrent posture in both the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific theaters. If SSBN-826 enters service as planned, it will ensure a seamless transition from the aging Ohio fleet and preserve continuous at-sea deterrence against evolving Russian Borei-A and Chinese Jin-class submarine patrols.
